Methods of deploying an implantable injection port

RELATED APPLICATIONS

0001The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/488,266, filed Jun. 19, 2009, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/483,980, filed Jun. 12, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,947,011, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/562,954, having a 35 U.S.C. §371 date of Dec. 30, 2005 as a National stage application of PCT/US05/01958, filed Jan. 21, 2005, and now U.S. Pat. No. 7,901,381, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/538,674 filed Jan. 23, 2004, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. U.S. application Ser. No. 12/483,980 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/562,964, having a 35 U.S.C. §371 date of Dec. 30, 2005 as a National stage application of PCT/US04/30053, filed Sep. 15, 2004, and now U.S. Pat. No. 7,762,998, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/503,074 filed Sep. 15, 2003 and to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/538,674 filed Jan. 23, 2004, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

0002The present invention relates to the fields of implantable medical devices and surgical instruments and fasteners. The present invention encompasses methods of fastening devices or implants in surgical procedures and the surgical fasteners and instruments used in the process.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

0003Surgical fasteners such as staples, clips, clamps, bands, tacks, or other wound or incision closure devices are commonly used in surgical procedures to allow a surgeon to fasten, secure and/or repair body tissue. Examples of surgical fasteners are given in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,994,073 or 4,950,284 or 4,934,364 and 4,932,960.

0004Surgical fasteners have been used in surgical procedures to eliminate the need for suturing, which is both time consuming and inconvenient. In these applications the surgeon often uses a fastener implanting device loaded with one or more surgical fasteners to accomplish in a few seconds what would have taken many minutes to perform by suturing. This reduction in operating time reduces blood loss and trauma to the patient.

0005Typically, such fastening systems have been used mainly for the closure of incisions or wounds, or to fasten tissues together. A surgical fastening system that could be used with a number of types of implantable devices would be beneficial for surgeons. Currently, surgical devices that incorporate fastening systems often use extremely specialized systems that may be unnecessarily complicated and are unsuitable for adaptation to other applications. As a result, the majority of implantable devices are secured with sutures. For example, when inserting a gastric band and the associated access port, the port is sutured into place with 4 to 5 sutures against the rectus muscle sheath. Such placement of the sutures is often challenging because the ports are placed below several inches of fat, and suturing the port often takes as long as placing the band itself. An improved fastening system would allow easy, one-step attachment with security equivalent to the sutured device.

0006The present invention overcomes such problems in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0007The present invention encompasses surgical fastening systems wherein an implantable device either contains a plurality of fasteners in pre-deployment position, or wherein an implantable device may have a housing fitted over the device, wherein the housing contains a plurality of fasteners in pre-deployment position. Accordingly, the present invention also encompasses a deployment system that optionally positions the implantable device, and which causes the fasteners to move into post-deployment position.

0008Features and advantages of the present invention will become appreciated as the same become better understood with reference to the specification, claims, and appended drawings wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0009The above objects and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following description and annexed drawings, in which:

0010<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is an elevation view of a radial pivot fastener with staples in pre-deployment position;

0011<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is an elevation view of the radial pivot fastener of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> with staples in deployed position;

0012<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a detail elevation view of the radial pivot fastener of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> with staples in pre-deployment position;

0013<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a detail elevation view of the radial pivot fastener of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> with staples in deployment position;

0014<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is an elevation view of a delivery system;

0015<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a cutaway view of the delivery system shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> and a port fastener;

0016<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a detail cutaway elevation view of the distal end of the delivery system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> and a port fastener in pre-deployment position;

0017<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a detail cutaway elevation view of the distal end of the delivery system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> and a port fastener in deployment position;

0018<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is an elevation view of a pencil grip handle configuration for a delivery system;

0019<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a detail cutaway elevation view of the handle of the delivery system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> shown in a starting position;

0020<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> is a detail cutaway elevation view of the handle of the delivery system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> shown in a fired position;

0021<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> is an elevation view of a pistol grip handle configuration for a delivery system;

0022<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> is a detail elevation view of the handle of the delivery system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> shown in a starting position;

0023<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref> is a detail elevation view of the handle of the delivery system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> shown in a fired position;

0024<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref> is an elevation view of another pistol grip handle configuration for a delivery system;

0025<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref> is a detail view of the gear train mechanism of the delivery system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref>;

0026<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17</figref> is a detail cutaway elevation view of the delivery system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref> shown in a starting position;

0027<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18</figref> is a detail cutaway elevation view of the delivery system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref> shown in a full spring recoil position;

0028<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 19</figref> is a detail cutaway elevation view of the delivery system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref> shown in a fired position;

0029<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20</figref> is an elevation view of a continuous NiTi wire form fastener in pre-deployment position;

0030<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 21</figref> is an elevation view of the continuous NiTi wire form fastener of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20</figref> in post-deployment position;

0031<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 22</figref> is a bottom elevation view of a straight leg, blunt tip continuous wire form fastener;

0032<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 23</figref> is a bottom elevation view of a curved leg, blunt tip continuous wire form fastener;

0033<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 24</figref> is a bottom elevation view of a molded tip continuous wire form fastener;

0034<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 25</figref> is an elevation view of a continuous NiTi wire form fastener with ground tips in post-deployment external position;

0035<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 26</figref> is an elevation view of a continuous NiTi wire form fastener with ground tips in post-deployment internal position;

0036<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 27</figref> is a bottom elevation view of the continuous NiTi wire form fastener with ground tips of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 26</figref> in post-deployment internal position;

0037<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 28</figref> is an elevation view of a radial slide fastener with straight legs and a staple guide;

0038<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 29</figref> is an elevation view of the radial slide fastener of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 28</figref>;

0039<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 30</figref> is an elevation view of a radial slide fastener with curved legs;

0040<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 31</figref> is an elevation view of a two-part fastening system before installation;

0041<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 32</figref> is an elevation view of the two-part fastening system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 31</figref> after installation;

0042<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 33</figref> is an elevation view of another two-part fastening system before installation;

0043<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 34</figref> is an elevation view of the two-part fastening system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 33</figref> after installation;

0044<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 35</figref> is an elevation view of a stand-alone fastener incorporated into a device;

0045<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 36</figref> is an elevation view of another stand-alone fastener incorporated into a device;

0046<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 37</figref> is an elevation view of another stand-alone fastener incorporated into a device;

0047<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 38</figref> is an elevation view of another stand-alone fastener incorporated into a device;

0048<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 39</figref> is an elevation view of another stand-alone fastener incorporated into an injection port in a pre-installation position;

0049<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 40</figref> is an elevation view of the stand-alone fastener of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 39</figref> in a post-installation position;

0050<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 41</figref> is an elevation view of a helical coil fastener;

0051<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 42</figref> is an elevation view of another helical coil fastener;

0052<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 43</figref> is a top view of a horizontal coil fastening system base;

0053<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 44</figref> is a side view of the horizontal coil fastening system base of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 43</figref>;

0054<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 45</figref> is a bottom view of the horizontal coil fastening system base of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 43</figref>;

0055<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 46</figref> is an elevation view of a driver tool of a fastening system for the horizontal coil fastening system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 43</figref>;

0056<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 47</figref> is a detail view of the horizontal coil fastening system base of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 43</figref>;

0057<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 48</figref> is a side view of a closed metal loop fastening system incorporated into a device;

0058<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 49</figref> is a top view of device incorporating the closed metal loop fastening system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 48</figref>;

0059<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 50</figref> is a side view of a two-part snap fit fastening system;

0060<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 51</figref> is an elevation view of a another closed metal loop system using curved pins or hooks;

0061<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 52</figref> is a side view of the closed metal loop system using the curved pins or hooks of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 51</figref> incorporated into a device;

0062<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 53</figref> shows top and side views of a curved pin fastening system incorporated into a device;

0063<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 54</figref> shows top and side views of another curved pin fastening system incorporated into a device;

0064<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 55</figref> shows bottom and side view of a spring screw fastening system;

0065<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 56</figref> shows side view of a folding baseplate with curved fasteners in its open and closed positions;

0066<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 57</figref> shows top and side views of rotating hook fasteners incorporated into a device;

0067<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 58</figref> is a top elevation view of a rotating disc fastening system with fasteners in pre-deployment position;

0068<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 59</figref> is a bottom elevation view of the rotating disc fastening system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 58</figref> with fastener in post-deployment position;

0069<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 60</figref> is a bottom view of the rotating disc fastening system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 58</figref> with fasteners in post-deployment position;

0070<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 61</figref> is a side view of the rotating disc fastening system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 58</figref> with fasteners partially deployed;

0071<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 62</figref> is an elevation view of the curved fastener of the rotating disc fastening system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 58</figref> showing the axis of rotation;

0072<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 63</figref> is cutaway side view of a delivery system;

0073<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 64</figref> is a side elevation view of a delivery system;

0074<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 65</figref> is a top view of the actuator lever of the delivery system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 63 and 64</figref>;

0075<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 66</figref> is a side view of the actuator lever of the delivery system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 63 and 64</figref>;

0076<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 67</figref> is a bottom view of the actuator lever of the delivery system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 63 and 64</figref>;

0077<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 68</figref> is a side elevation view of the actuator lever of the delivery system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 63 and 64</figref>;

0078<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 69</figref> is a partially exploded and cutaway view of the port cover of the delivery system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 63 and 64</figref>;

0079<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 70</figref> is a partial cutaway view of the port cover of the delivery system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 63 and 64</figref>;

0080<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 71</figref> is a back view of the port cover of the delivery system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 63 and 64</figref>;

0081<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 72</figref> is an elevated side view of the port cover of the delivery system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 63 and 64</figref>;

0082<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 73</figref> is an elevated bottom view of a loading fixture;

0083<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 74</figref> is a bottom view of a loading fixture;

0084<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 75</figref> is an elevated view of a loading fixture;

0085<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 76</figref> is an elevated view of a disc fastener/port/loading fixture assembly; and

0086<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 77</figref> is an exploded view of a disc fastener/loading fixture assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

0087The present invention encompasses surgical fastening systems wherein an implantable device either contains a plurality of fasteners (e.g. staples) in pre-deployment position, or wherein fasteners are provided adapted to suture holes on the device, or wherein an implantable device may have a detachable housing fitted over the device, wherein the housing contains a plurality of fasteners in pre-deployment position.

0088The detachable housing and fasteners may be made of various materials known in the art for the manufacture of surgical fasteners and implants. The fasteners may be made of metal, polymer, or other suitable materials. The detachable housing may be made of metal, polymer, ceramic, or composites; for instance polysulfone, acetyl copolymers, titanium, elastomers and stainless steel are commonly used.

0089These materials must be biocompatible, i.e., they do not adversely affect the surrounding living environment, and conversely, their performance is not adversely affected by the surrounding living environment. The materials may be inert non-absorbable or biodegradable. Inert materials may be fairly indestructible and maintain their form and function for extended periods of time.

0090Metals and metal alloys, and particularly titanium and titanium alloys, are used for a great variety of implantable articles for medical applications. All implantable articles suffer from some degree of bio-incompatibility, which may be manifested as tissue inflammation, necrosis, hyperplasia, mutagenicity, toxicity, and other reactions, such as attack by giant cells, leukocytes and macrophages. While titanium and its alloys are generally considered inert when implanted, some biological and biochemical interactions still may occur, and others have found it desirable to provide various coatings on the surface of titanium and titanium alloy implants for certain purposes. The same holds true for many other metals and metal alloys. Thus, the present invention encompasses the use of such coatings on the surface of the fasteners, the removable housing, or the device.

0091Some of the coatings that may be used in materials to be implanted (whether made of titanium or other materials) include biological agents (such as genetic material or cellular material) or chemical agents (such as anti-proliferation reagents or cell-growth factors) to reduce problems associated with hyperplasia or inflammation. These agents may be mixed with binders such as elastomers or bio-resorbable polymers to the surface of a metal or polymer object.

0092The fasteners contemplated herein, including staples, are often constructed of wire and thus have a relatively large surface area for their size. Accordingly, methods that allow the addition of biological and biochemical agents to the surface of the implant may be advantageous in minimizing the adverse reactions of body tissues with the implant. These may include coatings applied to stainless steel and titanium alloys (e.g., NiTi alloys) to retard tissue reactions. Such coatings have been based upon stable bio-compatible polymers (such as styrene-isobutylene-styrene (SIBS)) and bio-resorbable polymers, such as polyglycolic acid. In the work known to date, the active chemical or biological agent is mixed with the polymeric coating material, and the agent then elutes from the coating once the implant is placed in the body.

0093It is also contemplated by the present invention that the fasteners may be made of shape memory alloy (SMA). The driving force for making metal medical devices from shape memory alloys lies in their great resistance to permanent deformation as compared to conventional alloys employed in this application. Alloys used in various medical instruments have relied on stainless steel, high nickel alloys such as Elgiloy™ and titanium based alloys, all of which can be given quite high yield strength through work hardening. Normal metals, even with very high yield strength, cannot sustain strains much greater than 0.2% without suffering a permanent set. Once a bend or kink has been sustained in a device fabricated from one of the above conventional alloys it is virtually impossible to remove. The unusual property of pseudoelasticity exhibited by shape memory alloys such as Au—Cd, Cu—Zn—Al, Ni—Ti and many others makes possible the complete “elastic” recovery of strains as great as 10%. Due to its high recoverable strain and its excellent resistance to corrosion, the shape memory alloy of preference for medical components has been within the Ni—Ti family of alloys.

0094Shape memory alloys belong to a class which exhibit thermoelastic martensite transformation. The term martensite refers to the crystalline phase which is produced in steels when quenched from a high temperature. The phase which exists at the elevated temperature is referred to as austenite; these terms have been carried over to describe the transformations which occur in shape memory alloys. When a steel has been quenched from the austenitic temperature to martensite, to again form austenite requires heating the structure to quite high temperatures, usually in excess of 1400° F.

0095By contrast, the thermoelastic shape memory alloys can change from martensite to austenite and back again on heating and cooling over a very small temperature range, typically from 18 to 55° F. The transformation of a shape memory alloy is usually described by a hysteresis curve in which it is shown that on cooling from the austenitic phase, often called the parent phase, martensite starts to form at a temperature designated as MS and upon reaching the lower temperature, M_F, the alloy is completely martensitic. Upon heating from below the M_Ftemperature, the martensite starts to revert to the austenitic structure at A_S, and when the temperature designated as A_Fis reached, the alloy is completely austenitic. These two phases or crystalline structures have very different mechanical properties: the Young's Modulus of austenite is ˜12×10⁶psi, while that for martensite is ˜4×10⁶psi; and the yield strength, which depends on the amount of cold work the alloy is given, ranges from 28 to 100 ksi for austenite and from 10 to 20 ksi for martensite.

0096The unique feature of shape memory alloys is their ability to recover deformation. When a shape memory alloy specimen, in its martensitic form is subjected to stress, the strain is accommodated by the growth and shrinkage of individual martensite variants rather than by the mechanisms which prevail in conventional alloys: slip, grain boundary sliding and dislocation motion. When deformed martensite is heated to the austenite finish temperature A_F, the part reverts to its original undeformed state. Thus, for medical implant uses, it is possible to develop a design where the device is stored below body temperature in its unformed shape, and upon insertion into the body, the temperature of the device raises to that of the body, at which point the device reverts to the austenitic structure. In the instant application, the fasteners may be optionally made of an SMA such as NiTi.

0097It is within the scope of the present invention that such fastening systems as herein described are able to be fastened into bodily tissue in less time than would be required to suture the device into place. In the instance described here (the placement of an access port for a gastric band), the placement and fixation of the fastening system should take no more than five minutes. Additionally, the fixation system is able to be entirely unfastened and removed from the tissue in order to facilitate repositioning of the device, or to remove the implanted device entirely. Such implantation and extraction will not cause increased trauma to the patient, and the fixation system will not cause more adhesions than the traditional suturing method. The average surgeon or other health professional is reliably and consistently able to perform fixation and extraction of the fastening system.

0098Additionally, during the manufacture of such fixation systems described herein, the size of the fasteners determines the depth into the bodily tissue into which the fasteners will deploy. In the instant case, fixation of an access port should occur at a depth below the device not to exceed 3 mm. Also, in such a use, the bodily tissue into which the fasteners are deployed is the fascia. However, it is within the scope of the invention that the bodily tissue to which the device is attached will vary depending on the specific device. Additionally, the attachment of the fastening system into tissue will not cause tissue damage during placement or during body motion; for example, an access port for a gastric band is often attached directly over the rectus abdominis. Further, the fixation of the device is of equivalent or greater strength to sutures and resists becoming dislodged or disconnected in order to accommodate a long-term implant.

0099The invention as described herein may be used with any type of implantable device. Examples of such would include internal monitors, ports, pacemakers, therapeutics, drug delivery systems, neurostimulators, orthopedic devices, tendon repair, etc. For ease of explanation, the invention will now be described as depicted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-40</figref>, wherein the invention is shown used in conjunction with an access port. One of skill in the art will recognize that the present invention may be used with other types of implantable devices, and that the invention may take other forms analogous to those depicted herein.

0100Additionally, in the accompanying figures, the housing is shaped as a ring, and may accordingly be described as such. However, one of skill in the art will recognize that the shape of the housing is dependent on that of the device, such that the present invention is not limited to devices in which the housing would be circular.

0101<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> depicts an access port fastening system according to one embodiment of the present invention. The access port <b>10</b> includes a septum <b>11</b>, which in practice is pierced by a needle to input fluid such as saline into the access port for use with, for example, a hydraulic operated gastric band.

0102The access port <b>10</b> includes a detachable housing <b>12</b> which surrounds the outer perimeter of the access port. The housing <b>12</b> includes notches or openings <b>15</b>. The notches house fasteners <b>14</b>. The notches or openings <b>15</b> may take any form necessary to adequately house the fastener <b>14</b> while allowing movement of the fastener <b>14</b>. It is within the scope of the invention that at least three fasteners <b>14</b> be present in order to minimize the possibility of movement or dislodgement of the device. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-4</figref>, the fasteners <b>14</b> are attached to the ring <b>12</b> by a perpendicular segment engaged through a hole and thereby pivotally connected to the ring <b>12</b>. The fasteners <b>14</b> have a first position as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 3</figref> and a second or secured position as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2 and 4</figref>. To move from the first to the second position, the fastener rotates about an axis of the fastener. The notch <b>15</b> accommodates this rotation and a small locking tab holds the fastener in position after rotation. In one embodiment, the fasteners <b>14</b> may be 2-legged staples. In another embodiment, the staples are rigid, such that they do not deform during the rotation into the fascia of a patient. For such applications conventional metals are suitable. Furthermore, the staples may be shaped as a “U” or variations thereof, including substantially shaped as:

0103<chemistry id="CHEM-US-00001" num="00001"><img file="US8317761B2_D0001.tif" /></chemistry>

0104When in the second position, the fastener <b>14</b> is held rigidly in place by a locking tab <b>16</b>, and fastener <b>14</b> may flex to allow the fastener to pass into the locked position. The formation of the locking tab <b>16</b> may be such that upon movement of the fastener <b>14</b> from the first to the second position an audible click is heard by the surgeon to indicate that the fastener <b>14</b> is fully engaged by the locking tab <b>16</b>. The click may also be tactile, allowing the surgeon to feel that the fastener is fully engaged by locking tab <b>16</b>. When in the second position an access port <b>10</b> is secured within the housing <b>12</b> in the patient by the fasteners <b>14</b> which interface with the fascia of the patient. Essentially, the fascia or other bodily tissue is secured between the fasteners <b>14</b> and the housing <b>12</b> or device <b>10</b>. Furthermore, the housing <b>12</b> may contain pegs (not shown) which engage suture holes (not shown) which surround the perimeter of the device <b>10</b>.

0105<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5-8</figref> depict the access port of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> and its interaction with an access port delivery system <b>20</b>. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the access port delivery system <b>20</b> may have a finger depression <b>25</b> which is used by the operator to help hold the access port and the delivery system in place and properly aligned.

0106The delivery system <b>20</b> comprises a port cover <b>21</b>. The port cover <b>21</b> houses a plunger <b>22</b>, a slide pusher <b>24</b>, and a slide assembly <b>26</b>. The port cover may be formed in any shape necessary to substantially cover the access port <b>10</b>.

0107The plunger <b>22</b> provides the operative means for the delivery system <b>20</b> and is connected to a firing means which will be described below. Upon actuation of the firing means the plunger <b>22</b> moves in the direction of the access port <b>10</b>. This movement causes the slide pusher <b>24</b> to be actuated. The slide pusher <b>24</b> transfers the energy of the moving plunger <b>22</b> to the slide assembly <b>26</b>. The slide assembly <b>26</b> has a substantially round shape and encircles the access port <b>10</b>. In other applications, the slide assembly may take a form suitable to the device and housing to be implanted. Upon actuation, the slide assembly <b>26</b> is forced in the direction of the access port <b>10</b>. Alignment tabs <b>30</b> assist the alignment of the slide assembly <b>26</b>. The alignment tabs <b>30</b> are attached to the port cover <b>21</b> and interact with the access port <b>10</b> to ensure proper alignment. The movement of the slide assembly <b>26</b> causes beams <b>28</b> attached to the slide assembly <b>26</b> to act upon the fasteners <b>14</b>. The imparting of force on the fasteners <b>14</b> allows them to rotate in the ring holes (not shown) and to transcribe an arc defined substantially by the notch <b>15</b>. This rotation coincides with a movement from the first to the second position discussed above. As the beams <b>28</b> continue to be moved towards the access port <b>10</b>, the fasteners <b>14</b> reach the second position and are held in place by the locking tabs <b>16</b>. In this position the access port <b>10</b> is rigidly held in place by the fasteners <b>14</b> and their interaction with the fascia or other tissue of the patient.

0108<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> shows an access port delivery system complete with a firing means <b>40</b>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> shows a cross sectional view of the firing means <b>40</b> in the starting or loaded position. In this position, the spring <b>42</b> is compressed, and a latch <b>44</b> that is connected to a rod <b>46</b> is secured by a rib <b>48</b> to prevent the compressed spring <b>42</b> from expanding. The firing means has a trigger <b>50</b> connected to a lever <b>52</b>. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> the spring <b>42</b> and rod <b>46</b> are in a housing <b>54</b>.

0109As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>, upon application of a predetermined force to the trigger <b>50</b>, the lever <b>52</b> acts on the housing <b>54</b>. The housing <b>54</b> pivots on a fulcrum (not shown), this pivoting action lifts the latch <b>44</b> above the end of the rib <b>48</b>. Upon lifting, the spring force of the compressed spring <b>42</b> drives the plunger <b>22</b> in the direction of the access port and actuates the mechanism therearound as discussed above. In such a configuration the plunger travel, speed and impact force can be determined to meet the application needs. As tested, the plunger travel was between 0.25 and 0.75 in, and can develop up to 50 lb. of force on the plunger, depending upon the spring used in the application.

0110An alternative to the spring driven mechanism is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> shows a palm grip actuated firing mechanism <b>60</b>. The palm grip is a very simple design requiring only a single moving part to move the plunger <b>22</b>. In a first position as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref>, there is a moving handle <b>61</b>, a stationary handle <b>62</b>, a pivot point <b>64</b>, and an actuating tip <b>66</b>.

0111In operation the user squeezes on the moving handle <b>61</b> forcing it in the direction of the stationary handle <b>62</b>. This movement forces the actuating tip <b>66</b> which is connectively engaged with the moving handle <b>61</b> and the pivot point <b>64</b> in a direction opposite the direction of movement of the movable handle <b>61</b>. Through the use of the simple lever action, a comparatively small force applied to the moving handle <b>61</b> is amplified through the pivot point <b>64</b> and applied by the actuating tip <b>66</b> to the plunger <b>22</b>. The plunger <b>22</b> is moved by the actuating tip <b>66</b> in the direction of the access port <b>10</b> and actuates the mechanism therearound as discussed above. The force produced by the palm grip actuated device is limited only by the strength of the user, as tested the device was capable of producing in excess of 50 lb. of force with a plunger travel of 0.25 in. Alternatively, a geared mechanism could be produced that could produce equal or greater force although require a greater travel distance for the moving handle <b>61</b>. The force produced by the device shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 12-14</figref> could also be altered as necessary by moving the pivot point <b>64</b> nearer the plunger <b>22</b> to produce more force, or away from the pivot point to produce less force.

0112Yet another alternative firing means is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 15-19</figref>. The pistol grip firing means <b>70</b> includes a trigger <b>72</b> having geared teeth <b>73</b> located on one end, a gear <b>74</b> which meshes with the geared teeth <b>73</b>, a rack <b>75</b> driven by the gear <b>74</b>, and a spring <b>76</b>. The rack may also include a means <b>78</b> for gripping the plunger <b>22</b>.

0113The operative progression is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 17-19</figref>. In <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17</figref>, the trigger is extended and the spring is under little or no tension. The geared teeth <b>73</b> are meshed with corresponding teeth of the gear <b>74</b> and with teeth on the rack <b>75</b>. The plunger <b>22</b> is in the extended position. When the trigger <b>72</b> is depressed, the geared teeth <b>73</b> actuate the gear <b>74</b> and in turn cause the rack <b>75</b> to compress the spring <b>76</b>, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18</figref>. At a predetermined distance the geared teeth <b>73</b> no longer engage the gear <b>74</b>. At this point the gear <b>74</b> is free to spin. The stored energy in the spring <b>76</b> forces the rack <b>75</b> to move toward the plunger <b>22</b>. The free spinning gear <b>74</b> allows the rack <b>75</b> to move, which in turn forces the plunger towards the access port <b>10</b> and actuates the mechanism therearound as discussed above.

0114Another feature which may be incorporated into the pistol grip firing means <b>70</b> is a lock (not shown), which after the spring <b>76</b> is compressed prevents the gear <b>74</b> from spinning Then when desired the operator can release the lock, thereby allowing the spring <b>76</b> to expand as discussed above.

0115As tested, the pistol grip firing means <b>70</b> permits the plunger to travel approximately 0.4 in and can produce in excess of 50 lb. of force. One distinct advantage of this embodiment over, for example, the movable grip device discussed above is the instantaneous deployment having a very high impact speed.

0116In <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20</figref> a further embodiment of the present invention is shown. The use of NiTi or SMA alloy materials is well known in the medical arts as discussed above. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20</figref> NiTi fasteners are shown in a pre-deployment state. The fasteners <b>14</b> are continuous and attached to the access port <b>10</b> through holes therein. In operation the fasteners <b>14</b> are depressed into the fascia of the patient to secure the access port. The NiTi fasteners <b>14</b> have the unique ability to change their shape when heated, e.g. to body temperature. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 21</figref>, when the fasteners are deployed they can change shape to bend under the access port <b>10</b> and secure it in place.

0117In <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 22</figref> the fasteners <b>14</b> are shown with straight legs <b>80</b> in a deployed state. Alternative configurations include curved legs <b>81</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 23</figref>. Using the curved legs <b>81</b>, the fascia can be pinched between the fastener and the underside of the access port. A further alternative is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 24</figref> where the tips of the fastener legs <b>81</b> are coated with a molded tip <b>82</b>. The molded tip may be formed in a shape that will assist in piercing the fascia of the patient. This eliminates the need to form the fastener <b>14</b> into a shape for piercing. Additionally, the tips <b>82</b> may be formed of a bio-absorbable material.

0118In another embodiment of the present invention, the NiTi fastener can be continuously formed in a ring <b>84</b>. The use of the ring <b>84</b> allows for the fasteners <b>14</b> to be formed with a continuous construction. After the ring <b>84</b> with the fasteners <b>14</b> is formed, the ends of the legs <b>80</b> can be ground off to produce individual substantially U-shaped fasteners <b>14</b>. The ring <b>84</b> insures that the fasteners <b>14</b> can be inserted as a unit as discussed above, and the grinding of the legs ensures a sufficiently sharp point to pierce the fascia. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 25 and 27</figref>, the legs can be formed and positioned in the ring <b>84</b> so that after bending due to heating, the legs <b>80</b> face internally to the access port <b>10</b> or externally to the access port <b>10</b>.

0119Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a two-part fastening system as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 28-34</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 28</figref> shows a guide <b>90</b> formed with a plurality of individual fasteners <b>14</b>. The fasteners <b>14</b> are slidable in the guide <b>90</b> from a first to a second position. In operation the guide <b>90</b> is placed over the access port <b>10</b> and aligned with notches <b>15</b>. The fasteners <b>14</b> are formed of a spring like material and shaped to attach to the access port <b>10</b>. The fasteners <b>14</b> are slid from a first position as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 28</figref> to a second position as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 29</figref>. The fasteners <b>14</b> pierce the fascia and securely hold the access port <b>14</b> thereto. As previously described, the fasteners may have straight or curved legs. After the sliding of all of the fasteners from the guide <b>90</b> onto the access port <b>10</b>, the guide may be removed if it is not part of the final implanted device. Alternatively, the guide <b>90</b> may also be a permanent part of the implantable device.

0120A further two-part fastening device includes a pre-formed ring <b>100</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 31</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 32</figref>). The ring includes a first securing means <b>104</b> for attaching the ring <b>100</b> to the fascia. The ring also includes a second securing means <b>102</b> for attaching an access port <b>10</b> to a secured ring <b>100</b>. In operation, the ring <b>100</b> is placed upon the fascia and then twisted to engage the fascia in the first securing means <b>104</b>. The access port <b>10</b> is then placed upon the ring <b>100</b> and engages the second securing means <b>102</b> via holes <b>106</b> in the access port. This design allows for positive attachment and re-installation repeatability without disengaging the pre-formed ring.

0121<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 33</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 34</figref> depict yet another two-part fastening device comprising an applicator <b>112</b> and a ring <b>110</b> having NiTi fasteners <b>114</b>. In practice, the ring <b>110</b> is inserted into the applicator <b>112</b>. The applicator <b>112</b> is placed over the access port <b>10</b> with the fasteners <b>114</b> aligned with notches <b>115</b> and holes <b>106</b>. The fasteners <b>114</b> are forced through the holes <b>106</b> and engage the fascia of the patient upon which the access port <b>10</b> rests. Through the heating process, the fasteners <b>114</b> change shape and secure the access port to the fascia. After a predetermined time, the applicator can be removed.

0122Another embodiment of the present invention regards stand alone fasteners. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 35-38</figref>, a variety of designs can be used to secure an access port <b>10</b> to the fascia of a patient. The fasteners may incorporate NiTi so that the fasteners change shape upon application of a predetermined amount of heat. These fasteners <b>14</b> may be inserted singularly, or as part of a pre-formed ring as discussed above. When inserted singularly, the fasteners <b>14</b> may be straight rods or may have some pre-formed shape which may be heightened through the heating process. In <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 35</figref>, the fastener <b>14</b> takes on a curly, pig-tail shape. In <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 36</figref> the fastener takes on a substantially C-shaped appearance. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 37 and 38</figref> use U-shaped fasteners <b>14</b>, the ends of which bend, linearly when heated to form an omega shape as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 37</figref>, or perpendicularly to the shape as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 38</figref>. These shapes can be chosen as desired for a specific application.

0123Yet another embodiment of the present invention is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 39</figref>. In <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 39</figref> the fasteners <b>14</b> are slidably installed in the access port <b>10</b>. This may be accomplished by cold molding of the NiTi fastening system into the device, and allows positive attachment and repeatable re-positioning. Through the use of an installation tool <b>120</b>, the fasteners are forced through holes in the bottom of the access port <b>10</b> and engage the fascia. By installing the fasteners as an integral part of the access port <b>10</b>, no ring or housing is needed as discussed above for housing the fasteners. The installation tool <b>120</b> could be part of a triggering device as disclosed herein. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 40</figref> shows the fastener <b>14</b> in the engaged position.

0124As described above and shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-8</figref>, radial pivot fasteners are a simple delivery system, with direct drive. The associated delivery system actuates the pivot for radial entry. The staple may be stainless steel, titanium, Nitinol or Elgiloy™, or other suitable materials including other metals or plastics. The molded pivot/lock-out system may be designed to snap into the existing suture holes on implantable devices. Additionally, the simple staple shape allows for easy manufacturability. Such a system is self-puncturing, i.e. no pre-puncturing of the bodily tissue, e.g. fascia, is necessary. The curved nature of the staple allows the penetration into the bodily tissue as the staple advances to be predictable; and the pivoting nature of the curved staple generates an easy path through the tissue. Removal of the fastening system requires an extraction tool, and the staples will rotate out of the original entry path with only small resistance from ingrown surrounding tissue. However, the force required to remove the system is adequate to allow the staples to remain locked in position except during a removal procedure.

0125Continuous wire forms of the fastener system contemplated herein include blunt tips, molded tips, and ground or chopped tips. Blunt tip continuous wire systems, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 20-23</figref> may require pre-puncture for insertion of the blunt tipped wire. The fastener assembly may be manufactured to require the locking feature to retain either the wire form or the overmolded ring. The simple wire form may be made of stainless steel, titanium, Elgiloy™, NiTi or other suitable materials. Removal of the fastener assembly may be done easily due to the blunt ends, which provide minimal tissue damage and trauma. Additionally, the blunt tip reduces the force necessary to remove the assembly. The continuous wire form assembly with molded tips, shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 20 and 24</figref>, does not require pre-puncture of the bodily tissue, and these tips allow for easy entry into the bodily tissue. Further, the chopped or ground blunt end continuous wire form assembly, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 25-27</figref>, also requires no pre-puncture of the bodily tissue, which also allows for easy entry into the tissue.

0126The radial slide fastener assembly, depicted herein with flat fasteners (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 28 and 29</figref>) and curved fasteners (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 30</figref>), requires a larger entry site than the other fastener assemblies. The fasteners create a path through the bodily tissue that is simple and secure, with added retention in systems utilizing the curved fasteners. Removal of the systems is accomplished with an associated extraction tool that withdraws each fastener from their center position. Alternatively, the fasteners may be manufactured such that removal may be accomplished by lifting the assembly upwards, at which time the fasteners bend to a straightened position, allowing for easy removal.

0127<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 41</figref> depicts a helical coil fastener <b>201</b>, which may optionally be utilized with a port that features a tubing connector extending from the center of the base. The corkscrew-type design is mounted to a separate disc <b>203</b> which snaps to the port at tabs <b>202</b>, or alternatively may be mounted to the port itself, centered on the base plate. The disc or port is manually affixed to the tissue by rotation of the disc or port, which causes the coil to travel on a helical path through the tissue. In one embodiment, the coil can have a sharpened tip.

0128A variation of the helical coil fastener is depicted in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 42</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 42</figref> depicts a flat spiral spring <b>204</b> that is deflected downward to begin its path through the tissue. The deflecting implement <b>205</b> may be withdrawn following implantation, allowing the spring to compress during healing. Compression of the spring will reduce the profile of the implanted coil fastener and can reduce the likelihood of pain induction. Tabs <b>202</b> are used for locking a port or other device into the fastener.

0129<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 43-47</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 55</figref> depict a horizontal coil implantation system. In the horizontal coil system, a metal coil is used horizontally to stitch the port to the tissue. It is well known that such coils can pierce and hold in tissues from their use as mesh tacks in minimally invasive hernia procedures. In this case, the coil travels parallel to the tissue surface instead of perpendicularly, as in the helical coil fasteners described above. A small deployment tool <b>206</b> is envisioned to aid in driving the coil <b>208</b> through the tissue and the mating holes <b>207</b> in the base coil receptacle <b>209</b> (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 46 and 47</figref>). Such holes could be straight holes through a ridge on the bottom of the base (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 44</figref>, <b>45</b> and <b>47</b>), or curved holes molded into a flat-surfaced base. A top view of a base is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 43</figref>. It is envisioned that the last hole would be blind, and that the end of the coil would be shaped in a crossbar that could slide over an incline and lock into place, such as into a slot. A variation would feature a path for the coil that curves around the port or base edge, facilitating tool access to the coil. This can also be accomplished by varying the flexibility of the coil. A tube can be added to the tool as a shroud in order to keep the rotating coil from picking up strings of tissue before it travels through the holes.

0130<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 48 to 62</figref> depict various embodiments of a metal suture system. This method of port fixation involves the creation of one or multiple closed metal loops below the port base, by using the base itself as a means to close a loop formed by curved metal members (see, e.g. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 48 and 52</figref>). <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 48</figref> illustrates one closed loop, with a single curved metal member shown in its post-deployment position. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 49</figref> is a cutaway top view of one embodiment of the invention showing the curved metal members <b>211</b> in their pre-deployment position. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 57</figref> depicts both a bottom and side view of one embodiment of the invention showing the curved metal members forming a loop with the bottom of the base. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 51</figref> shows curved metal members, with the arrows indicating their deployment rotation. Fastening of a port in the above described manner may be done both with one-piece and two-piece systems, whereby a two-piece system may have a ring <b>210</b> that attaches to the port or other device by snap-fitting with tabs <b>202</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 50</figref>. One embodiment includes a deflection tool to separate the point of the metal member from contact with the base allowing the member tip to begin its path downward through the tissue. This can be a circular disc or the port itself. After the point has traveled some distance, the tool is withdrawn, permitting the curved member to then follow a path intersecting with the base. Likewise, another embodiment includes multiple members curved in two planes, such that rotation of the base affects the creating of multiple loops.

0131An alternate method to achieve such a loop is with a curved pin <b>212</b> that is inserted through the base after it is in its intended tissue location, as seen in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 53 and 54</figref>. Such a pin by nature follows an arc through the tissue and can easily be directed back to the port base. Such a pin can be made to lock in place after full travel by adding a right angle bend <b>213</b> to the pin that snaps into a slot <b>214</b> on the base, or other such well-known means. A variation on this theme includes an additional straight section on the end of the pin, parallel to the curved section. A lever arm <b>215</b> is used to drive the curved section through the base and to the completion of its intended travel.

0132In yet another embodiment, a two-piece system may be used wherein the port attaches to a folding baseplate <b>218</b> with sharp, curved extensions <b>217</b> (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 56</figref>). The folded plate is placed on the tissue with the extensions pointed toward the tissue. When the baseplate is unfolded (flattened) the extensions are driven 90 degrees in a rotary path (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 56</figref>). The port is then snapped to the baseplate, locking the extensions in position. In one embodiment, the points of the extensions would overlap those from the other half, semi-shielding the points.

0133<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 58-62</figref> illustrate a preferred rotating disc fastener system. After being placed in its desired location, the device to be implanted is secured to the tissue using a plurality of curved pins or hooks <b>501</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 62</figref>), the tips of which rotate through an arc and are received back in or near the baseplate <b>510</b> at the end of their travel. A disc <b>520</b> within the baseplate <b>510</b> rotates, thereby causing lever arms <b>525</b> to push against curved hooks <b>501</b>, which in turn rotate about their fixed axis in the baseplate through an arc until the rotational travel of the disc stops. In the fully deployed position (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 59 and 60</figref>), the tips of hooks <b>501</b> are preferably received back in baseplate <b>510</b> to form a closed loop. Alternatively, the tips may form less than a closed loop. In either case, it is preferable that the rotating disc <b>520</b> locks in place at the end of its travel to lock the hooks in place. One-way flexible locking tabs <b>527</b> that engage stops <b>515</b> or other locking means may be used to lock the hooks in place by preventing backward rotation of the disc. A deployment tool or delivery system such as that described above with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5-19</figref> may be used to fasten the device in place. The linear motion of the plunger <b>22</b> and slide pusher <b>24</b> is converted into rotational motion through a transmission using gearing or other well known means.

0134<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 63-72</figref> illustrate a preferred access port delivery system. Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 63</figref>, which shows the port delivery system in pre-deployment position, lever <b>605</b> is attached to handle <b>607</b> at hinge <b>621</b>. Cable sheath <b>619</b> is secured to handle <b>607</b> by securing pin <b>623</b>. Cable sheath <b>619</b> encloses cable <b>617</b> which is attached to lever <b>605</b> at the handle end of the device at cable stop <b>615</b>. Cable sheath <b>619</b> allows the linear motion of cable <b>617</b>. At the deployment end, cable <b>617</b> is attached to actuator lever <b>701</b>, which is snapped into port cover <b>631</b>. As can be seen from <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 66 and 70</figref>, actuator lever <b>701</b> and port cover <b>631</b> have curved lips <b>721</b> for gripping the baseplate of a disc fastener. Additionally, actuator lever <b>701</b> has groove <b>723</b> to allow the actuator lever to rotate around the baseplate with minimal contact, the only contact being from curved lip <b>721</b>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 66</figref> shows edge <b>713</b> of the actuator lever, which snaps into a matching groove of port cover <b>631</b> and secures the actuator lever but allows its rotational motion. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 65</figref> shows a top view of the actuator lever, and shows cable stop <b>705</b>, where the deployment end of cable <b>617</b> is attached. Cable <b>617</b> runs through slot <b>707</b> and out through notch <b>709</b> and along groove <b>711</b>. When the user of the deployment tool pulls lever <b>605</b> towards handle <b>607</b>, cable <b>617</b> is pulled through the sheath towards handle <b>607</b>. As the cable is pulled through the sheath, it pulls the actuator lever at cable stop <b>705</b>, causing the actuator lever to rotate along the path prescribed by edge <b>713</b> and its corresponding groove in port cover <b>631</b>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 69 and 70</figref> show partially exploded and cutaway detail of the various parts of the actuator lever, port cover and cable assembly. Thus the linear motion of cable <b>607</b> is converted to the rotational motion necessary to deploy the fastening system.

0135<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 71 and 72</figref> show an embodiment of port cover <b>631</b> in greater detail. Attachment position <b>735</b> is the location where a cable sheath may attach to the port cover. In addition, both <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 71 and 72</figref> show device passageway <b>737</b>. Device passageway <b>737</b> allows a port cover to be attached to a port or other device without interfering with any tubing or other instrumentation that may be running from the port or device. In this embodiment the passageway is a square shape, however the passageway may be in a wide variety of shapes to accommodate a variety of devices.

0136<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 73-77</figref> depict a loading fixture for holding a combined port/disc fastener assembly. The port/disc fastener system is snapped into the fixture, which protects the assembly, protects the user from accidental contact with the hooks, sharpened points, etc., used to fasten the assembly to tissue, prevents premature deployment of the assembly, and allows the user to load the port/disc fastener system into the deployment tool without actually touching the assembly. The deployment tool is snapped onto the assembly while it is still in the loading fixture. Similar to the device passageway of the port cover, the loading fixture has device passageway <b>739</b> to allow any tubing to hang freely from the device to be attached without any interference from the loading fixture. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 75</figref> shows how a device may be securely held in place by locking tabs <b>743</b> and/or pegs <b>741</b>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 76</figref> shows a port/disc fastener assembly being held securely by the loading fixture. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 77</figref> shows an exploded view of the disc fastener/loading fixture assembly without a port device attached.

0137A brief description of the combined use of preferred embodiment of the disc fastener system shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 58-62</figref>, the preferred embodiment of the deployment tool of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 63-68</figref> and the loading fixture of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 73-77</figref> is helpful in understanding the invention. The user grasps the port delivery system at handle <b>607</b>. The port/disc fastener assembly would be held in the loading fixture, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 76</figref>. The user maneuvers the port cover <b>631</b> over the port/disc fastener assembly, and curved lips <b>721</b> of the actuator lever and port cover snap-fit with the baseplate <b>510</b>, such that an audible and tactile click is heard and felt by the user. The user then pulls the deployment tool from the loading fixture with the combined port/disc fastener attached and ready to be deployed. The user then positions the combined port/disc fastener system such that the disc fastener is set in its location for deployment. Once in place, the user pulls the lever, setting the actuator lever in motion. Actuation edge <b>725</b> engages with a single lever arm <b>525</b>, rotating the lever arms until the fasteners are fully deployed. Upon full deployment an audible and tactile click is both heard and felt by the user, as the port is ejected from the port delivery system, and the deployment is complete.

0138Although the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, and in particular with reference to an access or injection port, it will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any number of implantable medical devices may be used with the fastening system of the present invention and that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.